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Happy Birthday Sehwag! Looking at the most audacious knocks of the 'Daredevil'

Soumyajit Dutta

Virender Sehwag [Source: @kajol_bairagi/X.com]Virender Sehwag [Source: @kajol_bairagi/X.com]

It has been 10 years since Virender Sehwag left the cricket bat from all forms of cricket, yet his legacy lives on. Coincidentally, Sehwag hung his boots on his birthday, on October 20, which ended the legacy of a player who was, in every sense, a true original who played the game on his own fearless terms.

It was his combination of clarity, power, and a savage instinct against spin that allowed him to build monumental scores. From becoming the first Indian to score a Test triple-hundred to blistering double-centuries in ODIs, his career is a highlight reel of audacious knocks. On his 47th birthday, we look back at the innings that defined the legend.

5) 195 runs (vs Australia in Test)

Virender Sehwag’s explosive knock of 195 off just 233 balls in the 2003 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne stood out as one of his finest innings overseas. Opening the innings, Sehwag tore into the Australian attack, smashing 25 fours and 5 sixes, dominating bowlers like Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill with fearless stroke play. 

His blazing innings set the tone for India’s total of 366 in the first innings. However, despite his heroics, Ricky Ponting’s masterful 257 turned the match in Australia’s favour as they piled up 558. India managed 286 in their second innings, leaving Australia a target of 95, which they chased comfortably to win by nine wickets.

4) 219 runs (vs West Indies in ODI)

Virender Sehwag delivered a masterclass of aggressive batting in the 4th ODI against West Indies at Indore on December 8, 2011, scoring a massive 219 off 149 balls. The Indian captain smashed 25 fours and 7 sixes, sharing an explosive 316-run opening stand with Gautam Gambhir (67) and taking the total to a mammoth 418/5. Suresh Raina (55) also contributed as India set an imposing target. 

In reply, West Indies struggled under pressure, with only Denesh Ramdin (96) offering resistance, as India’s bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja (3/34) and Rahul Sharma (3/43), bundled them out for 265. India won the match by 153 runs, with Sehwag named Player of the Match for his record-breaking innings.

3) 293 runs (vs Sri Lanka in Test)

Virender Sehwag once again dominated the opposition with a sensational knock of 293 against Sri Lanka in the 3rd Test at Mumbai on December 2, 2009. Sehwag’s innings, studded with 40 fours and 7 sixes off 254 balls, anchored India’s massive total of 726/9 declared. Murali Vijay (87) and Rahul Dravid (74) provided solid support, while MS Dhoni contributed a composed 100*. 

India’s bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka to 393 and 309 in their two innings, with Zaheer Khan (5 wickets) and Harbhajan Singh (6 wickets across both innings) leading the charge. India won by an innings and 24 runs, with Sehwag earning both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honours for his extraordinary performance.

2) 309 runs (vs Pakistan in Test)

Virender Sehwag produced one of the most explosive innings of his career in the 1st Test against Pakistan at Multan on March 28, 2004, scoring a monumental 309 off 375 balls, including 39 fours and 6 sixes. Alongside Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar contributed a patient 194*, while Yuvraj Singh added 59 and VVS Laxman 29, helping India reach a commanding total of 675/5 declared. 

In response, Pakistan was bundled out for 407 in the first innings and then, following on, managed only 216 in their second innings. Anil Kumble (8 wickets across both innings) and Irfan Pathan (6 wickets) led the bowling effort. India won by an innings and 52 runs, with Sehwag earning the Player of the Match award for his brilliant triple century.

1) 319 runs (vs South Africa in Test)

Virender Sehwag best-ever masterclass in aggressive batting was during the 1st Test against South Africa at Chennai on March 26, 2008, scoring a monumental 319 off 304 balls, including 42 fours and 5 sixes. His innings helped India reach 627 in their only innings after South Africa posted 540 in their first innings. 

Sehwag also contributed with the ball, taking 1/37 and 1/55 across the match, earning him the Player of the Match award. Despite South Africa’s second-innings score of 331/5 declared, the match ended in a draw, with Sehwag’s triple century standing out as the highlight of the contest.